Wildcats earn five bids to extend five-year run under Milham

Nine district placers, five OSAA qualifiers and an athlete on the state podium for the first time in three seasons  these accomplishments werent lost on Wilsonville wrestling coach Jason Milham.

Despite their relative youth, the Wildcats made noticeable progress  as individuals and as a team  in their recently completed 2013-14 season.

For the age and experience of the team we had, Im not sure we couldve done a whole lot better than we did, Milham said.

Wilsonvilles undisputed leader was senior Justin Hamilton, who took fifth place in the 195-pound bracket of the Class 5A championships to become the programs first state placer since Neil Ochs in 2011.

Hamilton was the Wildcats top performer throughout the year. He placed third Dec. 14 at the Rose City Championship tournament, was a runner-up Dec. 21 at the Oregon National Guard Invitational and took second Jan. 4 at the Don York Invitational. He also won the Hood River Valley Elks Invitational tournament Jan. 25 before reaching the district finals in February.

Hamilton was one of five players who didnt miss a practice this year.

He came in at the end of last year and said his goal was to be a state place-winner, Milham said. He wrestled last spring, went on a summer trip to Pocatello, did camps and did some wrestling in the fall when he had a chance between football stuff. All of that dedication and commitment paid off for him.